Well, this is the first installment in the replacement series for "Call of the Nightingale." If you like it, please follow me as an author to stay updated on the series, which will jump categories. Each installment will be one to two chapters. Thanks for reading and enjoy.
I do not own Teen Titans. Nightingale, however, is my own creation, with ideas combined from many different sources.
"My lord, are you sure you should be performing this ritual? I mean, I know it is the only way for you to bear a son, but the consequences could be-"
"SILENCE!"
The great demon lord Trigon looked upon his advisor with a disdainful gaze.
"To fulfill the prophecy and make me rule the earth, I must first bear a son before a daughter. I can only bear a son through the shadow oath ritual with Nocturnal. No matter how powerful this child becomes, he is needed to live only until the portal is born." he said, clearly stating why these measures needed to be taken. The lower-class demon backed down, respecting the decision of his master.
"Make the preparations!" the advisor shouted to Trigon's royal priests, who were scattered around the large cavern they were in. They quickly readied the cavern for one of the most dangerous rituals there ever was, hoping that their lord would be unharmed. The head priest came forward to the stone altar, motioning for Trigon to stand next to a sink-looking depression in the center of the rock.
"We gather today to bring worship to two great deities, Nocturnal the Shadow and Trigon the Terrible. A pact will be made on her great mistress' terms, creating a shadow oath between demon and Deadra. She asks for an offering of high blood be placed in the holy shadow bowl at my feet. Cut your wrist with no fear, or you shall be rejected by her holiness." he chanted, motining to Trigon for the sacrifice of blood. The large red demon swiftly cut his wrist with a knife, letting the blood drip into the depression at his feet. Shadows began to dance along the outer edges of the cavern, and an outer ring of lesser priests began chanting.
"Nocturnal accepts your offer. Kneel before her presence as she appears." the priest continued. Trigon growled at being forced to kneel, but did so regardless, bowing his head respectfully. Another few rings of shadow danced in closer to the shrine, and the rest of the priests began their chant. From the spilt blood of Trigon, a flock of ravens took to the air, coming together at the ceiling of the cavern and taking the form of a beautiful woman dressed in robes of darkness. She floated down to the demon's level and opened her eyes. They glowed a stunning violet, and her skin was deathly pale.
"What can I do for you, my child?" the goddess inquired, her voice sounding layered and echoed, yet very calm and inviting. Trigon looked up but remained kneeling.
"I need a son to complete my destiny, yet I am cursed to only bear females. Would you be so kind you help me, mistress Nocturnal?" the demon asked, forcing his voice when he had to call her 'mistress.' Nocturnal looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding.
"The shadow oath is now set, Trigon the terrible. I will grant your desire. In return, this child must leave home by 18, and may not die before the age of 20. Do you accept that he will have powers that you have no control over?" Nocturnal asked, confirming the advisor's suspicions that this could be dangerous.
"I accept." Trigon said. Nocturnal looked back to the sacraficial bowl, which was once again bathed in shadow.
"It is done. Take care, my children."
With those words, Nocturnal took the form of ravens again, and flew back into her portal. The shadows and darkness in the cavern dispersed ring by ring, until only the singularity in the center was left. After a few minute's wait, that disappeared as well, leaving a baby in its' place. Trigon held him to the sky, showing the new child to his followers.
"I welcome you to this world, my child. My son!"
I hope that was nice and spooky. I'll have another chapter in a bit, and the next story probably within a week. Thanks for reading.